I had success with Atkins once. Yes, once. Then I binged on carbs and gained it all back.

I am doing moderation. Everything in moderation. Still working on that though.

Almost nothing is an absolute fit for everyone. As long as you are eating healthy and in moderation that is what is important. My newest tool is a salad plate!!! Instead of using a dinner plate with little portions I use a salad plate, with moderate portions. It tricks the eye and the brain. It is working for me. Also remember that some form of exercise is as important as what goes in your mouth. Good Luck!

since I am just getting started taking this seriously, I am also making it up as I go. I might end up looking for help, maybe combine some different diets to make something that works for me

Hey :) The first thing my trainer said to me was you shouldn't be on a diet :o. As long as you eat healthy every 3 hours you should lose weight (with some excemptions of course). I don't count calories or follow a specific meal plan...I just made a lifestyle change :)

Sounds good! I prev lost 60+ lbs, now 3 yrs later I'm up 30 and in horrible shape. I used to jog and eat great. I've been researching the south beach principles and am thinking of trying it (following it loosely). It's sort of the way I ate when I did lose before ...cutting out the processed carbs. But the hard part is the first phase ---low carb including fruits, which will be hard. But I'm going to start next week after Thanksgiving of course.

Hi

I think you have raised a very interesting point and one that I get on my high horse about!!

I will be honest I am a nutritionst and have looked into some diets and trends including GI quite closely. But I feel that the problem with these diets and programmes is that they are all very well when you have a certain number of days plan of what you will eat from breakfast to dinner but what happens when you get off these plans and the diet period is over?

I am a firm believer in re-educating people so that we can make our own healthy choices. For example teaching people about different carbs and protein so that they can make educated choices. I know I responded better to this kind of approach. What do other people think?

Hi Mena :) You sound just like my trainer...lol....have you been talking to her :o..jk. She told me it's about lifestyle change. As you said...what do you do when the diet is over :o. If you train yourself through out your weightloss goals to eat better and PROPERLY (avoid yo yo dieting) then when you've reached your goals...you won't have any trouble maintaining :)

I definitely combine things I learned from different eating and exercise plans into my own thing.

My needs change over time too.

For example, I have counted calories and kept food diaries, but then stopped once I had a feel for it. Seemed like a waste of time to keep recording when I had a ballpark feel for what I was eating.

I gave up wheat gluten and dairy for a while. I am back to both, but now eat less wheat and next to no processed wheat. I cut way back on dairy from what I did before, but have yogurt daily.

I think over time you learn what works for you.

Same with exercise.

The basic principles stay the same -- portion control, fresh unprocessed foods, lots of fruit and veggies, regular aerobic and weight training, etc. -- but you tinker them to your own needs.

been reading a book "the Good Mood Diet" by Judith J Wurtman. Talks about serotonin alot and how this will help you loose weight. Carbs is something else that is talks about and why we need it. It makes alot of sence to me. Would recommend you read it and get that ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh reaction as i did when i read it.

Serotonin & carbs (the right carbs, i'm not talking about chocolate cakes or donuts the right carb's) plays a very big part in your weight loss journey & having a good mood every day!